Our Reviews of the Best Portable Generators

Westinghouse Wgen7500 – best home backup solution

Westinghouse WGen7500 has everything it takes to compete for the title of the best portable generator. Long runtime, sturdy design, relatively quiet OHV engine, and last but not least – convenient electric start – these are all the features that truly make it stand out.

Westinghouse is an American company with nearly a hundred years of history, renowned for producing high-quality electrical appliances. From our experience, this is particularly true for their generators. Wgen7500, as well as other Westinghouse generators such as iGen1200 or the WH2000IXLT, are some of the best portable generators money can buy.

Wgen7500 features a powerful heavy-duty OHV engine running at 7500 watts. That makes it an ideal choice for those who need a robust portable generator that could serve its job both as an emergency home power supply as well as a companion for a job site.

It can power most of the essential appliances at home during a hurricane.

These include:

1/2 HP Sump Pump

Air conditioner

Lights

Refrigerator & Freezer

and many others.

It is also very fuel-efficient. It can run up to 10 hours on a full tank of gas, depending on the load.

WGen7500 is fully CARB and EPA compliant, meaning that residents of all US states, including Californians, can legally use it.

WEN 56200i

If you are looking for the best portable inverter generator which at the same time doesn’t cost an arm and a leg – WEN 56200i is for you.

While WEN is not one of the most famous generator brands, this is an excellent quality machine. WEN did an outstanding job of making a portable generator that performs as good as its Japanese and American competitors at a fraction of the price.

It comes equipped with an original Yamaha engine, the same one as you can find in EF2000iSv2 inverter generators.

WEN 56200i is a very lightweight portable generator. Weighing only 48 pounds, it is a perfect choice for campers and requires little effort to move around.

It is also a silent machine – 51 dB at 25% load was quiet enough for this generator to make it to my Top 10 List of quiet portable generators.

On the other hand, plenty of people who bought it for hurricane Irma reported that if performed exceptionally well as an emergency power source too.

Remember that with 1600 rated watts, you won’t be able to power anything substantial. However, this is enough power for emergency use.

Wen 56200i has got a variety of outlets, including a 5V USB port – perfect for charging smartphones or cameras when camping.

Its fuel consumption is comparatively low too. Despite its small fuel tank, you can still run your portable generator for nearly 6 hours at 50 percent load – an excellent result.

Overall if you are looking for cheaper yet still a very reliable alternative to Honda or Yamaha, WEN56200i is one of the best generators in its price range and the one you should seriously consider.

It is reasonably light and easy to move around. At the same time, it provides enough power to run large electrical equipment. These include a typical 15,000 BTU RV air conditioner.

A truly great thing about this dual fuel inverter generator is how fuel-efficient it is.

Leaving the gasoline fuel tank aside, what amazed me the most was how long you could run it on a single typical propane bottle (like one of those you use for barbecues).

7,5 hours at 50 percent load – that’s enough to run an AC in your RV for the whole night purely on propane! Not bad at all.

Switching between fuels is also no brainer and happens at a push of the button.

To conclude this brief review, this is one of the most recommended portable generators currently being on sale. Champion 3400 is one of the only few inverter dual fuel generators available and, without doubt, the best one.

If you are looking for a very lightweight and reliable modern dual fuel generator – this is the one you should check out. Learn more in my full review of Champion 3400.

Honda EU2200i

Honda was the first company to introduce the portable inverter generator to the market. Their flagship model – EU2000i gained massive popularity among consumers in the US and soon became one of the most popular units in the market.

EU2200i is the younger sibling of EU2000i. It has got nearly the same design and safety features as its predecessor with one single significant difference – it provides 200 more watts.

The generator is very quiet. It makes around between 49 to 58 dB of noise depending on the load. That makes it perfect for camping and RV as most of the campsites are quite strict when it comes to the noise regulations.

Honda EU2200i can be used together with another inverter thanks to its parallel capability. This way, you can maximize the total power output up to 4000 running watts.

Fuel efficiency is a massive advantage of this generator. The original Eco-Throttle system patented by Honda automatically adjusts the consumption to the actual needs, resulting in significant fuel savings.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an electric start – the only thing we miss in this portable generator.

Otherwise its definitely one of the most solid generators out there. It’s become the customers favorite for the good reasons. If you live in Florida or other parts of the US frequently struck by hurricanes and looking for the generator to use for years to come – this is the one you should get.

EU3000iS features a large fuel tank with a total capacity of 3.4 gallons.

It is remarkably quiet for the inverter of this size. Even at 100% load, it produces less than 60 dB of noise.

The generator cover is built from steel, which guarantees proper protection. On the other hand, this makes the generator quite bulky.

Unfortunately, the wheels and the dedicated frame do not come in the default kit. That is a real bummer cause without these accessories; the portable generator is cumbersome to move around.

This Honda generator lives up to its manufacturer’s reputation. It is indeed one of the best generators I had the pleasure of reviewing. We could all just wish that it was slightly cheaper, especially since the additional accessories mentioned above are not included in the kit.

Champion 75537i

Champion 75537i is one of my favorite generators for a variety of reasons.

First, it is more potent than most of the inverters and has enough starting power – 3100 watts – to run the most critical electrical equipment in the RV. These include 13,500 BTU air conditioners, lights, a microwave, etc.

What I loved from the first sight about this portable generator is the remote start.

Just imagine being able to turn your generator on and off without even having to get close to it.

Are you lying in bed in your RV and want to switch off the power for the night? No problem at all! Just push the button at your remote control, and the generator will shut down immediately.

Even the universally acclaimed Honda EU2200i does not have such a feature, which I think is an incredibly handy addition to what is already an excellent portable generator.

Champion 75337i is very fuel-efficient, lightweight, and finally – quiet. If you run it at a 50 percent load, you won’t hear any distinctive noise at all while enjoying the comforts of your RV. However, even at higher loads, the only thing you are going to hear is the sound similar to an engine of a parked car.

Yamaha EF2000iSv2

If you are looking for smaller generators for camping, tailgating or certain kinds of jobs – inverter generators are the way to go. They are small, quiet and provide the so-called “clean energy“. This means you can safely use them to charge sensitive electronics such as laptops or tablets.

That is sadly not the case with most of the conventional portable models.

Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is undoubtedly one of the best inverters on the market.

It features a beautiful modern design, which also makes it very portable and easy to carry around.

What’s more important, though, is the engine – the original 79cc Yamaha 4-stroke OHV engine is one of the most reliable ones you can find.

EF2000iSv2 is capable of delivering up to 1800 running watts of total power output. That is quite a standard number for inverter generators. You certainly won’t be able to power a whole house with it. On the other hand, this is more than enough for camping or for operating most of the work tools such as drills or sanders.

Yamaha EF2000iSv2 is fully EPA compliant and approved to be used all around the United States.

To sum it up briefly – it’s an excellent choice even if it comes at a higher price.

DuroMax Hybrid XP12000EH

This is a true beast among portable generators. At 12000 surge and 9500 rated watts, it is powerful enough to serve as an alternative for a standby generator.

As long as you don’t try to turn on every single appliance at once, you can pretty much run the whole house on it.

It is a very versatile machine that can run on gasoline and propane, which helps maximize its total run time (up to 15 hours depending on the load).

That is undoubtedly good news for those who suspect they are soon going to need a generator running for long periods during an extended power outage caused by hazardous weather conditions, hurricanes or forest fires.

Being able to switch between gas and propane easily gives you also a bit more flexibility than it is in the case of a typical gas generator.

Welders could also consider Duromax XP12000EH. It has enough running wattage to power any MIG welder, which is one of the most power-consuming power tools out there.

As you would expect from the portable generator of this size, it is not necessarily a quiet machine. However, this is not a significant concern if you use it as mentioned above – as an emergency home backup power or to run the specific power tools.

If I had to choose a home backup power generator for a larger home and wouldn’t like to invest thousands of dollars in the installation of a standby generator – Duromax XP12000EH would be one of those generators I would be most likely to buy.

2. Noise

Nobody loves the sound of a generator engine. Running a loud generator is an easy way to annoy your neighbors, especially when you intend to use it for camping or RV.

A lot of campsites and RV parks only allow generators below a certain noise threshold. On top of that, most of the time, they can only be used at certain so-called “non-quiet hours.”

However, even when boondocking, you certainly want to use a generator that won’t disturb you at night.

The annoying sound of a loud portable generator can also ruin your tailgating party to a great extent. No matter how expensive your audio equipment is, the music will not be great, if there is too much humming or buzzing sound coming from your raucous generator.

So before making a purchase check out the noise level (measured in decibels) of the generator.

Important: generator manufacturers usually mention the noise at a 25% load. Even though you may see that the advertised sound level is reasonably low, bear in mind that the generator is bound to become much louder if you run it at full capacity.

Check our guide to find out which one is the quietest generator on the market.

3. Budget

When it comes to buying such an indispensable machine as a generator, you definitely cannot be a Cheap Charlie. You need to get the one that can provide a constant, reliable portable power supply and won’t fail to start after a few uses. Good quality portable generators are not cheap to manufacture, and hence they also cost more.

On the other hand, many people make the mistake of buying large, expensive portable generators, hoping that they can help them power an entire house during a power outage caused by natural disasters. They would use them 2-3 times a year when a hurricane strikes, and that’s about it. Ask yourself – in case of emergency, do you need to run ALL of your household equipment? Or perhaps just a few critical appliances like refrigerators, heaters, lights, and portable electronics?

There is no point in buying a generator for several grand if you can get away with a smaller and cheaper model, which will provide you with just enough power to meet your basic needs.

4. Sturdy build

A portable generator is a tool that you can trust even in the worst of circumstances. It would be terrible to end up in the middle of the power outage caused by a hurricane with a generator that breaks down after a few hours.

Don’t skimp on the quality and choose a generator that has a trusted quality OHV engine and a solid steel frame to protect it.

Yamaha, Honda, Westinghouse, and Champion generators are among the most trusted manufacturers of generator engines. It’s worth mentioning though that some portable generators sold by other companies come equipped with original motors built by Yamaha or Honda while costing the fraction of the price. WEN 56200i is one such example.

5. Fuel efficiency

While at the surface, all portable generators might look the same and have similar engines – their fuel consumption can vary greatly.

The continuous run time you get from one full tank of gasoline can vary a lot between different units.

For example, Honda has equipped its inverters with an “Eco-Throttle” technology. It automatically adjusts the fuel consumption to the current energy demand.

This technology gives you longer run time on one full tank of gas without impacting the generator’s performance.

The generator will detect whenever you plug or unplug a device and will either increase or decrease its gas consumption to keep it the minimum level, which is also just enough to run that device without interruption.

Even though they might cost more upfront, portable generators with such mechanisms are more fuel-efficient and can save you quite a lot of money on gas in the longer term.

6. Ease of set up

When purchasing a whole house standby generator, you need to hire a professional to install it or let the manufacturer do it if they offer such a service.

On the contrary, it is a different story with portable generators. You don’t want to pay hundreds for a generator for camping that later proves to be too difficult to start.

Fortunately, the best portable generators these days can be run pretty much straight out of the box.

Before you purchase a generator, read the reviews left by the customers who’ve already bought it and see whether they mention any difficulties with setting it up.

However, even if you decide to buy a generator that is known for its easy operation, you should double-check if it comes with a detailed and understandable manual written in good English.

7. Ease of use and maintenance

New portable generators are generally much easier to use than the old types that often required professional expertise to run. However, some generators have a variety of additional features, making them easy to operate even for completely inexperienced users. Before purchasing a generator, check if it has at least some of these features:

in case of dual fuel generators – the option of switching fuels at a push of the button

Some of these are there mainly for added convenience. Others, like the low oil shutdown mechanism, are the important safety features that you should not neglect.

8. Small size and weight

Portable generators with higher total power output usually have larger engines that make them heavier and bulkier. However, this is not always the case. Especially if you compare inverter generators to the conventional portable units, you will quickly find out that inverters are much lighter types while offering the same wattage.

If you need more power, it’s often a better idea to parallel generators to double the total power output rather than purchasing one heavy generator. Moving a generator with a huge engine from one place to another can be a gruesome task you want to avoid, especially if you are planning to use it for camping or RV.

9. Variety of outlets

That is an often overlooked aspect a lot of customers forget about when looking for portable generators. Don’t let the wattage be the sole criterium for determining how many and what kind of devices can you power. Make sure the generator has got the right outlets first!

They also typically come up with a dedicated USB port for charging portable electronics.

Some portable generators such as the Champion 3100 watt inverter are RV-ready, saving you the headache of purchasing additional converters and switches.

10. Environmental Regulations

Most of the portable generators operate on fossil fuels and release toxic fumes. The two most common types of fuel are gasoline and diesel. Even though most of the modern generators (especially the inverters) are much cleaner than the older ones, they are still not environmentally friendly.

Most of the states impose strict regulations on what kinds of generators you can use there. Make sure you get the one that complies with national and state laws and has the necessary certifications in place, including the EPA.

All generators included in our top 10 list are EPA compliant.

California residents need to be particularly careful as the environmental regulations are even stricter there. You need to buy a CARB compliant generator to be able to use it in California legally.

Consider getting a dual fuel generator to minimize your impact on the natural environment. A propane generator is a much cleaner type than a gas model. It’s also cheaper to run too.

If your power needs are much lower (e.g., you only need a tiny generator to power your camping stove, a phone, and the camping lights), you can also check out the portable solar generators. These are by far the greenest solution on the market.

11. Customer Support

You certainly don’t want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a generator just to find out that if it breaks down, there won’t be anybody to help you. Trusted manufacturers should always be ready to assist you when the generator fails to work for any reason.

That’s why you should only go with trusted brands and models. On the other hand, there are less known manufacturers who only recently entered the US market and are working hard to gain credibility and trust of the customers. WEN is an excellent example of one such company. They are known for selling quality portable generators and are very responsive when there is a need for assistance.

On the other hand, some large brands attract criticism from time to time for failing to deliver excellent customer service.

Last but not least, make sure that you purchase a generator with ideally at least a 3-year warranty. Make sure you also check the rules first to know what kind of repairs can be carried out by a manufacturer without additional costs. Professional servicing can be costly, so it’s better to save yourself the headache and a few dozen bucks and carefully read the manual first.

Best Portable Generator FAQ

Can I run a whole house on a portable generator?

Most of the portable generators do not have enough power to run an entire house.

However, portable generators with the rated wattage of at least 7500 watts can run all essential household appliances (e.g., heaters, refrigerators, lights, garage door openers) in the event of an emergency.

Anything rated at 12,000 watts and more can power an entire small household.

A 15,000-watt portable generator can run an entire mid-sized household.

How big of a portable generator do I need?

That all depends on your specific energy needs and which devices you need to power. If you need a generator to run an entire house, 10,000 watts would be the absolute minimum. Use our calculator to get a rough estimate of how much power you need and which generators can supply that.

How to connect a generator to a house without a transfer switch?

Attempting to connecting the generator to your house without a transfer switch can cause severe damage to the electricity grid.

It is also potentially hazardous for your health due to the risk of electrocution. In the worst case, it can be fatal.

A transfer switch is a critical piece of electrical equipment that allows you to connect the portable unit to the household circuit breaker.

Unless you are a DIY expert, when purchasing a generator transfer switch, make sure to hire a professional electrician to set it up. Trying to install it by yourself without prior experience can be dangerous and is NOT recommended.

How much can a 7500-watt generator run?

Quite a lot. That is enough to make it a viable home backup power source.

It can also power a sizeable electric appliance, including some of the most demanding ones such as water heaters, large AC units, air compressors, or table saw. The notable exception is a 200 amp welder. You would need at least a 9000-watt generator to run it.

What is the difference between a portable inverter generator and a regular generator?

Inverters produce the so-called clean sine wave and have less Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), similar to the state grid. You can use them safely with sensitive modern electronics. These include cell phones, computers, home theater systems, etc.

Conventional portable generators, especially the older ones, generate more THD. In other words, the electricity they produce is less “steady” than it is the case with the state grid or inverters. That may result in potential damage to sensitive electronic equipment.

Read more about the differences between inverters and conventional portable generators in this article.

How far should a generator be from the house?

Ideally, you should place the generator at least 20 feet from your house. That will help you avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Just make sure that the exhaust is not pointing at your windows or doors!

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